02/Video

[flightlessbird]

[ WELL HEY, this is a face that hasn't popped up in a while! Artika's looking a little dirty, ragged, and generally unkempt, and not terribly pleased. ]

They need to stop— they all need to be quiet. [ uh. okay, Artika, if you say so. she darts a glare over to the side. ] I said to leave!

[ When she's satisfied that... whatever is over there got the message, she looks down into the camera again. ]

Killing them does not work. I tried. I hate them.

Comments

Voice

[checksum]

Killing who doesn't work?

[video]

[stonefaith]

Artika? Where have you-- what-- where are you?

[ INWARDLY: FREAKING OUT ]

permavoice; private

[boughtabookstore]

[ remembering the communication problems. ]

Artika?

It's been a while.

permavideo

[flightlessbird]

Them! In black, and with masks, they do not stand and fight me!

permavideo

[flightlessbird]

[ oh. hey. a familiar face gets a pause, and she peers a little closer into the screen. ]

Bariyan? I'm here. [ wow thanks for that helpful answer ] But they will not leave me alone.

permavideo; private too SURE WHY NOT

[flightlessbird]

Ro— [ aaaannd mid-word she jerks away from the screen and disappears off to the side, though there's still a tensely crouched leg in the frame. ] I said go! I can kill you!

[stonefaith]

[ Staring back. He doesn't... see or hear anything else from the feed.... ]

What... who's there, Artika? Do you need me to come over?

[flightlessbird]

No, but you can come if you want to. [ a beat, a sharp, suspicious glance around, and then she adds: ] It is the men in black again.

[stonefaith]

[ No, still not seeing... or hearing anything.... but that's good, right? Yes. That's good. Don't question that. ]

Okay. Tell me how to get to you.

she's not sticking her voice out there okay

[boughtabookstore]

[ .. uhhh. ]

What's going on over there? Do you need help?

[flightlessbird]

[ she pauses, thinks for a moment, and with an utter stroke of genius, turns the netbook to take in the view of where she is. which, coincidentally, looks to be just at the edge of the city.

and from off-camera: ] Stay there. I can kill you, if you come closer!

[flightlessbird]

No! [ that's to the netbook, but it's a little hard to tell. ] They are too afraid to touch me, because they are still cowards.

[boughtabookstore]

Who, specifically?

Voice

[checksum]

[Well, now. Osprey hasn't had a chance to examine the mysterious Masked. This could be informative.]

Can you point the camera at them? I haven't had a chance to see these Masked.

[flightlessbird]

[ With a sound of annoyance, she spins the netbook from its place on the ground to face out at what looks like the edges of the city — out at... absolutely nothing beyond the ordinary. which isn't what Artika seems to be shouting at. ]

Stay there, or I will kill you again!

[flightlessbird]

The men with masks!

[ video -> action ]

[stonefaith]

I'm on my way. Stay put.

[ Bariyan recognizes the area. It looks... rather empty. But Bariyan doesn't bother to think about that, he can ascertain that for himself when he gets there.

He'd salvaged another car a couple days earlier and drives that out, but it dies a few blocks away so he makes the rest of the trip on foot. On the run, even, only coming to a halt once he starts seeing familiar streets and buildings.

And nothing else. Not even a sound. He frowns and remains watchful. ]

Artika?

voice

[theguideless]

Ar--[ar-something. man, remember names, kid. a swallow.] Do you need help? Killing...Who're you killing?

Voice/Action

[checksum]

[Osprey's image-recognition software kicks in with the view of the city, and he's on his way, pausing only to grab his sniper rifle. The lack of Masked in the picture is odd, though.]

Are they hiding themselves from sight somehow? How can you locate them?

[flightlessbird]

They are right there! [ There's some scuffling behind the netbook, as she stands up. ] They are not listening to me.

[flightlessbird]

[ Artika, incidentally, is wearing more scales than she had been on the netbook feed. At the sound of his voice she uncoils from the chimney she'd found to twist around, a rooftop above, and gives a low hiss. Not threatening, just attention-getting. ]

permavideo

[flightlessbird]

The men! The men wearing black. Can you kill men?

[boughtabookstore]

I haven't seen any of them in more than a month.

Where are they?

[theguideless]

Oh, th– [shut up, let her finish.

beat.

...


.] Oh. I don't know. I haven't before, I...

[flightlessbird]

Then stay there, I will take care of them.